Pensioner Lesley Davies was stamped to death in street in Par by her mentally-ill partner

WARNING: Some readers may find some details distressing. Brian Downie, 69, attacked Lesley Davies, 81, in Pembroke Close in Par on July 19 last year after he became convinced she was trying to poison his food and water

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She had been married for 42 years and had two sons before her husband died of natural causes.

In either 2013 or 2014 she formed a relationship with Downie who she had met online and Mr Laws described that they were happy and there was never any suspicion of violence prior to Mr Davies’ death.

The scene on Pembroke Close in Par (Image: Danielle Smith)

Mr Laws said: “The night before a couple were walking back from a party to their home in Pembroke Close when they saw the defendant who seemed agitated. He stopped them and asked if they were going to give him a lift. When he was asked to where by the two people, who were strangers, he said, ‘you know damn well where I am going’.

“The following day Mr Downie was clearly unwell. He phoned his son in Plymouth and by the end of the call he was speaking as if his son was a salesman saying he didn’t know who he worked for and that he shouldn’t call again.

“At 13:19 the defendant made a call to his son Daniel and said he wanted the police called and that they should be armed. Daniel was alarmed so phoned the police and set off to Par.”

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Daniel arrived just as the air ambulance departed with Ms Davies, Downie then himself calling 999 but hanging up because he thought he wasn’t speaking to genuine emergency service personnel.

At about 2pm neighbours saw Downie, who cried throughout the hearing, chasing Ms Davies up the street.

Mr Laws added: “The defendant caught up with Ms Davies and pushed her over on a grass verge, then beginning to stamp on her face in what were described as full force, vicious stamps.”

Pembroke Close

A neighbour then pleaded with Downie to stop to no avail, then exchanging blows with him. The neighbour then left to call the police as Downie continued to stamp on the victim.

The neighbour returned and struck Downie with a piece of wood and restrained him until police arrived.

Officers reported that Downie was “muddled and not right” saying “Lesley I love you” and “this is a movie and this will make them stand up and notice I need help”.

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Mr Laws said: “During a psychiatric assessment it became clear that Mr Downie believed his partner was conspiring against him and poisoning his food and water. He thought the neighbours were also in on the conspiracy.

“He s aid that he wasn’t in a police station but in somewhere made to look like a police station.”

During the attack Ms Davies, a former teacher, suffered catastrophic injuries including a bleed on the brain, a displaced brain and fractures to the eye sockets, jaw, nose and spine. When arrested Downie had blood all over his shoes.

The court heard from two psychiatric experts who agreed that Downie was suffering from a form of dementia that resulted in episodes of psychosis.

The experts stated that the best place for Downie was Langdon where he could be medicated and monitored to prevent any further violent episodes.

The scene on Pembroke Close in Par (Image: Danielle Smith)

Defence barrister Jo Martin, QC, said: “This is a tragedy for everyone. An almost additional tragedy is that a good man and a nice man did this – or at least his body did this – when not in full control.”

Sentencing Downie, Mrs Justice Juliet May agreed that the most appropriate sentence is one of a hospital order meaning Downie could remain at Langdon.

She said: “On July 19 Brian Downie aged 69 killed his partner partner aged 81 on the road outside her home. Witnesses report him chasing her down the street, pushing her over and stamping on her.

“Although taken to hospital and treated Ms Davies did not regain consciousness and life support was turned off on August 8. As a result two sons have lost their remaining parent and no sentence I can impose can bring her back.

“Further investigation heard that Brian Downie was behaving oddly the night before the attack.”

Mrs Justice May concluded that she was in no doubt that Downie, who had served in the Royal Navy and worked as a taxi driver prior to retirement, was suffering from a psychotic episode at the time of the attack.

She added: “The violent symptoms are well controlled with medication and the emphasis must be on treatment and not punishment.”

There is a chance Downie may eventually be transferred to a lower security ward if his condition improves, but doctors said that if he displays any worrying signs he would be recalled instantly.

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